Recent national news has me internally reciting “Oh BROTHER: This guy STINKS!” à la SpongeBob SquarePants every time I’m forced to tune in to our country’s ever-growing cadre of guys who stink. I’ll not name the specific odorous brethren, as it seems cancel culture’s run so amok that even a former Man Show host’s light-ribbing revolution can’t be televised anymore, but like, you know who I’m talking about. They all have bad haircuts, ill-fitting suits, and they’re basically trying to make life for me and my transgender community impossible.
What can a humble columnist/event listings editor do when he reads headlines about the U.S. president once again trying to deny trans and nonbinary people accurate passports; so-called allies continuing to be conspicuously un-ally-ish when it comes to trans athletes; and continued misinformation campaigns from right-wing news outlets about trans people being a murderous cult. Part of me – the control freak part, TBH – goes Tilt-a-Whirl over the obvious disconnect between political discussion of my community and the reality of our lives. We’re facing the same problems as everyone else before you even count the added issues specific to anti-trans backlash. How dare politicians and pundits pretend a trans woman dribbling a basketball near a cis woman is a crime when both hypothetical women are probably more concerned with getting affordable and non-biased health care than who wins the game?
My dream is that a meteor grazes the U.S. landmass with enough force to knock sense into everyone’s brains before burning into a pebble that skips over, IDK, Lake Michigan. All the weirdos in power will realize what they actually want is to be on yachts forever, so they fuck off to live on the high seas while people who care about the country being livable for everyone come in to pick up the federal mess that’s been made. Trans, nonbinary, and cis people all have their baseline lives improved and live in harmony. Disney as a company collapses and their whole IP catalog goes up on Tubi for free. I also grow 2 inches, because this is my dream and I’m allowed a little selfishness.
Alas, this dream is probably not going to happen – although I’ll never say never. Instead, it looks like we’re all going to have to support each other through the rough years and try to remember that support when things get a little better. To forget what happens when times are tough is to promise tough times again. So, yeah. Be nice, help where you can, and maybe put down the phone a little.
Geekgasm Revue Presents “Booty Quest 2: Torchlit Boogaloo!”
Thursday 25, Kick Butt Coffee
Returning their interactive D&D show, Geekgasm brings burlesque and drag into a fun fantastical new realm with live performances, themed drinks, trivia, raffle prizes, and a photo booth. 8pm.
Glamp Glamp: Winner vs Wiener
Thursday 25, Lynny’s
Got a strange song in your heart or a spicy skit to serve up? Show it off at this experimental queer performance-art open mic hosted by Erica Nix and Lynn Metcalf. Sign-ups at 6pm; show’s at 7pm.
Futch Fetish: Lesbianas Latines
Friday 26, Cheer Up Charlies
BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner celebrate Latine lesbian culture with a sapphic drag show featuring Venus Rising, Bobby Pudrido, Flex Brojas, Dante Picante, Atlas Mars, Sir Dree, and Damiana Divine. 9pm.
Mr. Iron Bear Title Contest
Friday 26 – Saturday 27, the Iron Bear
Do you have what it takes to serve your community? Then you ought to compete for this grrreat title that’s back after 11 years. Reformatted to be “a true service title,” competition’s open to everyone under the LGBTQIA rainbow in the bear and leather communities who has “the passion to serve, the drive to lead, and the heart to represent.”
Disco Cuntry Club: Queer Linedance Night
Friday 26, Independence Brewing
Join your prancing pals Country Fried Dance along with cowboy DJ Ed West for a dance over at this South Austin brewery. 7pm.
I Scream Social
Friday 26, Alienated Majesty Books
Hosted by Host Publications’ Annar Veröld and Claire Bowman, enjoy readings from authors Jose Flores, Kyle Okeke (A Door in the Snow), and Jenny Tinghui Zhang (Four Treasures of the Sky) as well as mutual aid tabling, open mic sign-ups, and ice-cream scoops. 7pm.
The Best Drag Show Ever
Saturday 27, Oilcan’s
Ritzy Bitz hosts this all-star showcase of Fourth Street’s best ’n’ brightest drag artists including Lawrie Bird, DeeGee Rey, and Titty Androgynous. This week’s show also includes an East Coast icon with NYC’s Marti Gould Cummings gracing the OCH stage. 9pm.
T4T: Top for Tiny
Saturday 27, Rain on 4th
Help drag king Tiny Taurus get the ultimate chop (aka, top surgery) in style at this all-trans drag show hosted by Miss Steelya Girl and Basura, complete with themed drink menu, vendors, and a raffle. 7pm.
Drag Me to the Tavern
Saturday 27, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Enter a new fantasy dimension at this role-playing tavern-set show with drag … in the round! Performers Munster Mash, MK Ultra, and hosts Sirs Beau Elliot and TRT perform this groundbreaking format you’ll have to see to make sense of. 7pm.
Crowned With Laganja Estranja
Saturday 27, Busy Signal
Malibu Imported’s drag brunch at a speakeasy welcomes RuPaul’s Drag Race star Laganja Estranja to East 11th for a “high-flying” performance. VIP and meet & greet packages available. 12pm.
Lavender Legends Queer Prom
Saturday 27, Dottiewood
Whether you’re 18 or 118, this party promises a celebration of our queer elders that’ll delight all ages. In addition to dancing, prom pictures, and a “glamour” lounge, the World Famous *BOB*-hosted event will also feature performances by Kush ATX, Moxie, Bobby Pudrido, and spins by DJ Ed West. Free, but tix are required for entry. 6pm.
Happy One-Year Anniversary Birdhouse
Saturday 27 – Sunday 28, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Celebrating their first spin around the business sun, queer-owned Birdhouse Books hosts two author readings (Lindsay Leslie, Saturday at 11am, and Greg Foley, Sunday at 1pm), Typewriter Poets’ on-the-spot poetry, and a party with charcuterie, champagne, and community.
Bear Maximum
Saturday 27, the Austin Eagle
Have a longer, harder, and beefier dance party with DJs Sport Model and CBass throwing hot beats all night for “bears, boys, and everyone who loves ’em.” 10pm.
Big Flood, Bigger Community
Sunday 28, Cheer Up Charlies
Brigitte Bandit hosts this benefit drag show to raise funds for the Hill Country Arts Foundation Point Theatre, which was damaged during the recent Texas floods. All proceeds go toward helping reconstruction costs. 4pm.
Package Queer Market
Sunday 28, Package Austin
Shop local queer vendors and artists while sipping free drinks on South First at this queer market hosted by “Austin’s premier queer boutique for everyone’s FASHION and FETISH desires.” 12pm.
Haute Seat
Sunday 28, Cheer Up Charlies
The seat may be hot, but the performances will be hotter as host Embry Officially invites special guests RiotGirl and Neura Toxin alongside cast members Beau Elliot and Harlot. Plus vintage and trinket vendors and music by Lavender Thug. 7pm.
Reading the Rainbow Book Club: The Sons of El Rey
Wednesday 1, Twin Oaks Branch Library
The South Austin edition of this LGBTQIA book club cracks into a lucha libre family drama by author Alex Espinoza. Virtual attendance options available. 7pm.
Cobweb Cabaret
Thursday 2, State Theatre
Start this scary season off sexy style with a burlesque show featuring eclectic talents like Heaven Starr, Emma Vauxdevil, Lady Lola Lestrange, Louisianna Purchase, Dev Developpe, Marylynn Mayhem, Aileen Stunning, and host Eddie Divas. 8:30pm.
This article appears in September 26 • 2025.
